Friday, January 13, 2006

A town in Colombia is proposing a new law which would make it compulsory for teenagers to carry condoms at all times. Sounds like a great idea, since it would totally solve the problems of being embarrassed about buying them and carrying them around. Plus it would be the last time anyone said they didn't have one when they meant they didn't want to use one. The impact on teenage pregnancies and spread of STDs would have to be positive.

Needless to say the local church isn't so keen. Why anyone asked their opinion though is beyond me. The country has laws which are supposed to guarantee freedom of religion. And while the Roman Catholic church may preach against using condoms, so far as I know no religious edicts are infringed by carrying one around... The local priest is quoted as saying the move is "like selling guns on the street". Hmmm, yes, with the notable exceptions that guns kill people while condoms save lives.

Anyway it struck me that the impact on British society of the same law would be a whole lot more positive than forcing people to carry round over-priced ID cards.